Nerves not an issue as Jadeveon Clowney prepares for first game

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Jadeveon Clowney made a pair of highlight-reel plays in his first preseason game at NRG Stadium. Sunday he makes his official home debut against the Redskins. (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle)

Rookie outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney was a couple of minutes into his interview with a group of reporters crowded around his locker when he was interrupted by inside linebacker Brian Cushing.

“Talk about the A&M game,” Cushing said as he walked to his locker.

Clowney, who played at South Carolina, where the Aggies won 52-28, smiled. The reporters laughed.

Then everyone returned to their interview.

Clowney disclosed that he suffered a concussion in a practice at Denver. He said it took him a week to get through the concussion protocol the league established.

“I’m feeling pretty good, getting ready for the game,” he said about Sunday’s opener against Washington. “I’m not really nervous.”

Before his first preseason game, Clowney said he was nervous, but after two appearances, he feels more comfortable. Still, how can a player taken first in the draft who’s supposed to be a once-in-a-generation pass rusher not experience some pregame butterflies at least.

“I was a little nervous then, but I’m not now because I’ve prepared myself,” he said. “As long as I prepare myself and the coaches prepare me I’ll be ready to go.

“I’ve been thinking about it (playing in NFL) my whole life. I’m trying to treat it like just another game.”

Asked about his goal going into Sunday’s game, Clowney said, “I expect to play hard, get after the quarterback and run all over the field and run plays down and just play football.”

His primary concern about the Redskins is their speed, beginning with quarterback Robert Griffin III.

“His running ability,” Clowney said. “We’ve got to be ready to contain him in the pocket cause he can get out pretty fast.

“It’s a fast offense with a lot of speed on the edges, and they’ve also got a good offensive line, so it’s going to be a test.”